Letters to the Editor: Grassroots can make a difference; NRA doesn't represent everyone

I am deeply distressed by the recent shooting in Florida. More than that, it is bit distressing that it has taken so long for the voice of America to awake and protest this gun violence that is peculiar to America in its frequency.

Gun violence in public schools is nothing new. Sandy Hook, Columbine and the latest incident in Florida are sad reminders that gun violence happens in America, even in our schools. What is new is that people are complaining about gun violence in a loud, grassroots way that is starting to reverberate in the hearts and minds of our governmental leaders (at local, state, and national levels).

The NRA and the political leadership tell us that our Constitution allows for easy access to gun ownership, and it is hailed as a basic right that all Americans enjoy. Well, perhaps, since the Constitution is a man-made document, we could change the Constitution. Why do we need guns today? Why are there around eight million of these AR-15 mass murder weapons in our land?

There were 17 people killed at the school in Parkland, Florida. It’s tragic to lose that many people, and it’s also tragic that on a daily basis, according to the Brady Campaign, 32 individuals will lose their lives by gun violence in the USA. That’s 32 people every day.

I would encourage America to continue to protest (while looking forward to solutions) so that we can reduce the gun violence numbers. We must do better in our regulations of guns, because we all have the right to not be faced with gun fire. Let’s learn how the other nations are doing this, even if it means changing our Constitution.

Jim Stevens

Battle Creek

NRA doesn't represent everyone

It sure didn't take very long for the NRA to put our fearless leader back in line and make him realize who is really in charge in this country. One short meeting with the head of the NRA and the man with the attention span of a rock, completely forgot about passing any laws that might possibly help prevent the next mass murder shooting event that has become so common in this fair land of ours in the last few decades.

It would seem that allowing an organization that is the mouthpiece for the Arms Industry, be able to decide who gets elected as our lawmakers, might not be such a good idea in a land that is supposed to be a representative democracy. Hopefully, the brave young survivors of the last large massacre will continue their campaign for sanity in gun safety laws to put an end to the senseless slaughter of our fellow Americans. Let’s give them a helping hand.